Galvanic-battery cell.



PATENTED MAR. '7, 1905.

A. T. SANDEN.

GALVANIC BATTERY CELL.

APPLIOATION FILED DEG. 15, 19044 iTE STTns Patented March '7, 1905,

ALBERT ll. SANDEN, OF NEW YORK, N. .Y.

$ALVAIIG EATTIERY GEM...

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 78%,125, dated March*2, 1905.

Application filed December 15, 1904. Serial No. 286,937.

1'0 all 'LUII/OTI'L it nut concern..-

Be it known that I, ALB nartll. SAN'DuNa citizen of the United States,residing in the herough of Manhattan, in the city, county, and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inGalvanic-Battery Cells, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to cells such as are used in galvanic batteries,and particularly to the small cells that are used in batteries adaptedto be applied to the person by means of a belt or the like. These cellsconsist ordinarily of copper and zinc elements separated and kept inaction by a piece of felt or similar fabric moistened with acidulatedwater. It is neces sary that these shall be compact and particularlythat they shall be flat, so as not to make the plate unnecessarily thickor clumsy.

.In the drawings, Figure 1 represents three of the cells connectedtogether in series. Fig. .2 represents the zinc element and the porousseparating portion before they are connected to the copper element.Figs. 3 and 4 are obverse and reverse views of the Zinc element and itsconnecting-wires detached. Fig. 5 is a transverse section through line 55, Fig- 3.

As shown, the copper element of the cell consists of a sheet or plate ofcopper so folded as to bring its edges together and to give it across-sectional contour of ovoid form. In the corners are piercedapertures 11, adapted to receive the ends of a connecting-wire 2, themetal portion of which is securely attached, as by soldering, to thezinc element 3 of the cell. As shown, the wires 2 are secured tothe zincplate 3, so as to extend therebeyond at both ends, and a'strip i of feltor similar fabric is pierced at its middle point ll and threaded overthe wire 2. These portions shown in Fig. 2 are then slipped within thecopper element 1 and the ends of the wires 2 bent to enter the apertures11 of the next cell or in the case of the end cell to engage with asuitable current-conveying device. Cells of this general constructionhave been made; but heretofore the zinc element has been either in asubstantially cylindric form or else has been a flat plate. In the onecase two narrow lines of contact were formed between the opposite sidesof the cylinder and the felt against which it is pressed. in the case ofthe flat square plate it is sometimes possible that four such lines ofcontact may be formed; but they are neccssaril y very imperfect andunsatisfactory.

My invention consists in making the zinc element of a much thicker metalthan heretofore has been en'mloyed and of corrugating it, preferablylongitudinally, as shown in the drawings. l have shown the plate asprovided with a groove 31 in its median line, in which theconducting-wire is secured, and with two grooves 32, one at each side ofthis median line, but on the opposite side of the plate. in this way atleast live points of contact with the felt or fabric 1-, caused by thepressure thereon of the copper element .1, are formed. These arenumbered, respectively, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37. .It will be noted thatthe lines 32, 2A, and 35 are of a low curvature, so as to almostcoincide with the curve of the sides of the element 1, so that not onlywill a large number of contact-lines be formed, but several of thesewill be of substantial width.

Another and perhaps the principal advantage of my invention lies in thefact that practically capillary tubes are formed between the felt and.the curved or transversely-waved surfaces of the corrugated zinc plate.As these groups of elements are usually brought into renewed action bydipping them in acidulated water and shaking oil the excess, it isimportant that they should retain a considerable quantity of waterwithout increasing the resistance by reason of the thickness of theporous element. My device provides for a fiat porous element consistingof a relatively thick zinc plate with large contact and at the same timefor a great increase in its capillary capacity.

It is evident that any changes of form are possible without departingfrom the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. A battery comprising a folded outer element, an intermediate porousfabric portion in contact with the inner side of said outer element, anda grooved inner element providing on both of its faces a plurality oflines of contact with said fabric portion and a plurality of capillaryspaces thereloetween.

2. A battery comprising a folded outer element, an intermediate porousfabric portion in contact with the inner side of said outer ment,whereby a plurality of lines of contact and of capillary lines is formedbetween said zinc element and said fabric portion.

4. In a galvanic battery, a Zinc element consisting of a platetransversely waved approximately from edge to edge thereof, therebyforming a plurality of longitudinal grooves in its opposite faces, and aconducting-wire secureu in one of said grooves.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT 'l. SANDEN.

\Vitnesses:

G. H. McIvoR, C. H. WILLIAMS.

